Page 119 of Possession

“It’s quite all right. I admit that I’ve been monopolizing Grace’s time, but don’t worry, she’s still working on fresh pieces. In fact, we have one right now for you.”

“Now?”

I cleared my throat. “Yes. It’s something special I wanted to show you. Can we go in the back so I can show it to you privately?”

“Of course. I can leave my own party for a few moments, especially if there’s something in it for me.” Her golden ringed fingers fluttered over the beaded bodice of her jet-black dress.

“I know how you love presents.”

“I don’t have yours here though. I was hoping to have you out to the house with us for Christmas.”

“I couldn’t wait to give it to you.”

She led us back to her office and swept inside. “Come in. My space is your space.”

I spotted the charging station full of iPads and my belly tightened. Perfect. I opened my clutch and pulled out the slim envelope. “It’s not wrapped, but I think you’ll forgive my little faux pas when you see it.”

Blake took it from me and eased the glass out of the wrapper before he flipped it around for Phil to look at.

She gasped and held the piece up before crossing the room to her true light stand. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Blake’s speciality is security glass. He let me take a stab at an etching on it.” I backed up to her desk and unplugged one of the iPads before I leaned against the mahogany with an indulgent smile.

Blake explained the glass and brought Phil to her window to show her the way the etching changed in different lights. I slid the iPad off the station and into my purse before turning around to follow them.

“I can’t wait to work with it. I thought I’d tease you with a Christmas gift. You know, to whet your appetite for more.”

“Well, you certainly did. This is gorgeous. You’ll be able to make amazing things with it. I can’t wait to sell them all. You’re going to make me a mint!”

I laughed. “Always the bottom line.”

Philomena shrugged. “It is a business, but you are my favorite artist. That has to count for something.”

“Oh, it does.”

Blake rested his hand at the small of my back. “Shall we get back? We don’t want the natives to get restless because we stole away their hostess.”

“I don’t really care. I can’t wait to put this up. I’m going to create something special at the front of the gallery.”

“I’d be honored.” The words stuck in my jaw, but I managed to spit them out.

“I simply love it. Merry Christmas, darling.” She swooped in and hugged me tight. It took everything inside me not to push her back. To rail at her for lying to me since the beginning of my career.

She drew us back into the room and dragged us to the nearest waiter holding a tray of champagne. “To your amazing talent!”

Blake smiled and locked his fingers with mine. It was the only way I could choke down my drink.

Lies everywhere.

I had to get out of there.

“It’s been a very long week. Would you mind if we begged off the rest of the night?’

“Oh, but you haven’t even eaten yet.”

“I know, but you know me. I’m not one for the finger food stuff.”

She turned to Blake with a shake of her head. “Annabelle and I tried to raise her right, but she still loves junk over the finer foods.”

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